RETA Breeze Jul-Aug 2025

The goal of the RETA Authorized Instructor (RAI) program is to make quality Industrial Refrigeration Instruction widely available to businesses and individuals who operate industrial refrigeration systems. RAI reflects RETA’s commitment to a “Train the Trainer” approach to supporting high-quality instruction in support of all industrial refrigeration system operators, managers, consultants, and related technical and support personnel. A RETA Authorized Instructor (RAI) provides high-quality training focusing on safety and the improvement of operational and maintenance competency in the industrial refrigeration environment. The RAI may use RETA’s standardized training material as well as other materials such as machinery specific operating and maintenance manuals necessary to provide the instruction. RAI instructors may use materials that are published by other sources if they document the comparability of alternate materials to RETA publications or that these materials supplement RETA-published content. RETA is fully committed to maintaining the fairness, impartiality, validity and integrity of all RETA certification programs. RETA policies and procedures are designed to ensure that all decisions about certifying every candidate are based solely on the candidate’s qualifications, and performance on RETA examinations and other certification-related activities.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 29TH RAI! (RETA AUTHORIZED INSTRUCTOR)

Don Hodge has spent more than 20 years in the food processing industry, with 10 years dedicated to the refrigeration side of the industry. He has been married for 27 years and has four children. With a background in quality assurance, safety and thermodynamics, the step into a role of an instructor of refrigeration, boilers and PSM in 2018 was a dream come true. With roles as an instructor at GCAP, Train Consulting, JS Compliance, and currently, NH3 Training Center of Texas. Upon completing the RAI certification process, Don’s goal of being able to spread refrigeration knowledge and safety everywhere is one step closer to realization.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 30TH RAI! (RETA AUTHORIZED INSTRUCTOR)

With 30 years in the ammonia refrigeration industry, Benny Phillips is a seasoned expert in system design, compliance and energy efficiency. As the founder and CEO of Ice Cold Consulting, he leads compliance partnerships and multimillion-dollar capital projects that meet USDA, FDA, IIAR, EPA, and OSHA standards. His hands-on experience ranges from technician to project manager, and he specializes in energy-saving audits, system design reviews and regulatory compliance. A Certified Refrigeration Energy Specialist (CRES), Benny is now focused on sharing his expertise through training, helping the next generation of industry professionals enhance safety, efficiency and compliance. He is passionate about educating others to ensure the long-term sustainability and safety of ammonia refrigeration systems.

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